Be a Book Giver!

Here's a unique opportunity to put books in the hands of your fellow community members. April 23 is World Book Night 2012, an initiative that invites people to register as "book givers," then go out that day to give away 20 paperback copies of a beloved book.  If you're chosen as a giver (50,000 people in the US will be), you'll get to select from a list of 30 titles for a book that you'd like to share with others, and 20 copies will be sent to a designated pick up location.

On April 23, your mission is to pick a place or two in the community where perhaps people don't come across reading material so easily, and give those 20 books away!

If the concept alone isn't enticing enough, here are 3 more reasons to do it:

The books are good. Organizers have chosen a diverse group of award-winning titles for many different reading tastes.

The library is involved! Our Main and Ronning locations have registered to be book pickup locations, and we'll even have a little party before the World Book Night event.

Last but not least, if you sign up and are chosen to be a book giver, you'll receive a free reusable Siouxland Libraries bag to carry your 20 books and keep for future library trips.

Sign up now--the deadline is February 6!

Keeping New Year's Resolutions

We've made it through the first week of 2012! How's it going with keeping all those New Year's Resolutions? Yeah...us too.

Here's a few recent titles you'll find at the library to help you stick with your goals!

Improving physical fitness:

Complete Guide to Fitness and Health, Barbara Bushman, ed.

Fitness Illustrated by Brian Sharkey

Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights?: Fitness Myths, Training Truths, and Other Surprising Discoveries from the Science of Exercise by Alex Hutchinson

Getting a handle on your personal finances:

How to Speak Money: the Language and Knowledge You Need Now by Ali Velshi and Christine Romans.

The Handy Personal Finance Answer Book by Paul Tucci

The Real Cost of Living: Making the Best Choices for You, Your Life, and Your Money by Carmen Wong Ulrich

Eating well:

The America's Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook by the editors at America's Test Kitchen

The Joy of Eating Well by Andrew Weil and Carolyn Ross

The Food Matters Cookbook: 500 Revolutionary Recipes for Better Living by Mark Bittman

Feeling successful and fulfilled at work:

The 9-to-5 Cure: Work on Your Own Terms and Reinvent Your Life by Kristen Cardinale


Quitter: Closing the Gap Between Your Day Job and Your Dream Job by Jon Acuff

48 Days to the Work You Love by Dan Miller

Lastly, if you've made a resolution to rediscover your love of reading (a worthy goal, in our opinion), check out Alan Jacobs' The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction, for his thoughts on the simple act of reading in not-so-simple times. Then be sure to take advantage of the friendly staff at your favorite Siouxland Libraries branch, who are always eager to give you reading suggestions!

Happy 2012!

The Girl Who Became a Sensation

Few books achieve the status of global phenomenon the way Stieg Larsson's The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo has. We still see waiting lists for it at the library, even three years after its release. David Fincher's highly anticipated American film adaptation opens today, and many reviews have been favorable.

If you've been through Larsson's Millenium Trilogy already and are in the mood for something similar (seems like good reading for the chilly winter months, doesn't it?), check out these other Scandanavian authors who specialize in the psychological mystery:

Karin Fossum has been a favorite among our staff; translated from Norwegian, her novels feature intuitive policeman Konrad Sejer, and some very twisting plots. Another popular series character is Ake Edwardson's Inspector Erik Winter, who investigates dark crimes in Sweden. Kjell Eriksson's novels, also set in Sweden, have a police procedural feel that draws comparisons to the novels of Ed McBain.
Fans of this genre would also appreciate the work of Henning Mankell, whose character Kurt Wallander has appeared in ten novels.

Some recently buzzed about authors include Jo Nesbo, who's latest novel, The Leopard, was released this month. John Ajvide Lindqvist is frequently requested at the library--his novels have a bit of a supernatural element to them; Let the Right One In was adapted into a spine-chilling film. Library staff have also recommended Lars Kepler's The Hypnotist, the first suspensful novel it what promises to be a series from Sweden.

Will you see the new movie version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo? Did you see the Swedish version?

Art and Artists: Quilts!

In December and January, our gallery wall at the Main Library will feature something a little different. Sioux Falls quilter Phyllis Schrag will be displaying her impressive work--a perfectly cozy backdrop as the chilly winter sets in! Stop by in December to see pieces with a holiday theme, then revisit in January for a new collection of quilts. Call 367-8720 for more information on the Art and Artists program.

It's That Time of Year...

If you believe the commercials on TV, the holiday shopping season began sometime around Halloween! Last year one of the more popular gift categories (at least from our point of view) was eReaders and other digital devices that support downloadable books. They do make an excellent gift for all the readers on your list, and we're expecting them to be just as popular this year!

The most exciting part is that many of these devices are compatible with the library's collection of downloadable eBooks and audiobooks from OverDrive.  If you are new to the world of e-reading, don't miss our free classes, which will include a demonstration of downloading library eBooks to devices like the Barnes & Noble Nook and the Amazon Kindle. And for all the audiobook fans out there, we also have thousands of digital titles you can download and transfer to portable listening devices like iPods and mp3 players.

Upcoming Classes:

Downloadable Audiobooks: Wednesday, November 16, 12-1 PM at the Main Library.
Click Here to Register

eBooks and eReaders: Thursday, November 17, 7-8 PM at the Caille Library.
Click Here to Register

eBooks and eReaders: Tuesday, November 29, 12-1 PM at the Main Library.
Click Here to Register

All sessions will also include a demonstration of the OverDrive mobile app for iPads, iPhones, Android, and Windows phones.

Use the links above to sign up for one of these sessions, or call 367-8720 to register.

Book Discussion: The Journey of Crazy Horse

The Journey of Crazy Horse by Joseph Marshall, III is this year's One Book South Dakota selection. Marshall has been praised for his storytelling style in this biography, which uses Native American narrative tradition to depict the life of Crazy Horse as both a warrior and a man. Join us at the Main Library on Thursday from 12-1 PM for a lunchtime discussion of this book!

For more reading on Crazy Horse, check out these titles:

Crazy Horse (Tashunka Witko): great warrior of the Oglalas (Teton Sioux) by Harold Howard.

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse by Peter Matthiessen

Crazy Horse, the Strange Man of the Oglalas: a biography, by Mari Sandoz

Crazy Horse and the Real Reason for the Battle of Little Bighorn, by A.C. Ross

Crazy Horse and Chief Red Cloud: Warrior Chiefs--Teton Oglalas, by Ed McGaa

Book Signing: Ken Alvine

Join us Thursday, November 3 from 7-8 PM for a special event at the Main Library! Ken Alvine, creator of the Senior Moments comic strip, will be signing his latest collection and talking about his cartooning process. Ken has worked in the field of cartooning since the 1960s. His company, Creative Comics, creates and distributes comic strips, illustrates commercial cartoons, and produces "How to Draw Cartoons" books and manuals. He is a member of the National Cartoonists Society.

Copies of The Best of Senior Moments will be for sale at the program. Call 367-8720 with questions.